Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/84

That this is the faith which is the internal of the church, may appear from this single consideration: that whoever has the life of charity, knows all things appertaining to faith. Only examine all doctrines as to their real nature and quality. Are they not all precepts of charity, consequently, of a faith derived from charity?

To instance only the commandments of the decalogue, the first of which enjoins the worship of the Lord God. Whoever has the life of love or charity, worships the Lord God, because this is his life. So in the commandment which enjoins the observance of the Sabbath: whoever is in the life of love, or in charity, sacredly observes the Sabbath; for nothing is more delightful to him than to worship the Lord and to glorify Him every day. So again in regard to the commandment, "Thou shalt not commit murder:" this is altogether a precept of charity, since he who loves his neighbor as himself, shudders at the thought of doing him any injury, and much more of murdering him. So, too, respecting the commandment, "Thou shalt not steal:" whoever has the life of charity, is more ready to give to his neighbor than to take anything from him. So with the commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery:" he who is in the life of charity, would rather act as a guardian of his neighbor's wife against the evil designs of others, than be a violator of her innocence himself, regarding adultery as a crime against conscience, and such as destroys conjugial love and its obligations. To covet also what belongs to another, as